So, I'm at work yesterday and I walk past a coworkers desk and was assaulted by this awful smell. As I pass, I see this huge guy sitting there and the smell was permeating from him. We work in 8x8 cubes, so there's only but so much space within them. My poor coworker was sitting less than a foot from Stinky Dude. I asked my lead who S.D was and he told me and asked if I wanted to be introduced; "hell naw!" immediately left my lips and I walked away. I had to get back up and pass my coworkers desk again and thought I'd be spared from the offensive odor, but it again assualted me.
Now, my question is this...does S.D not know he smells? This is something I've always wondered when I've walked past people who smelled badly. I realize that one can get accustomed to their own sent, but come on, you can't tell that that smell is out of the ordinary? Do people who smell not have friends or family to tell them that they're not having the best hygiene moment? I really did want to say something to S.D, but what? how? I mean, I'd never even met him before so how could I? So many questions.
So, what would you do? If you smelled would you want someone to tell you? Do you think you'd be offended? I think I'd want to know. I think I'd want to know. I mean, if the person was pleasant in their approach and spoke kindly to me about my offense, I'm not sure I'd be offended. My friends tell me if an outfit looks a mess on me, or if my hair is having a issues, or if there's a booger in my nose; so why not tell me if I smell?
And the people say what?
7 comments:
Stinky Dude may already know that he smells. :(
"Since body odor may be caused by an underlying condition, a thorough medical exam is recommended along with a blood screen and blood chemistry panel."
I wouldn't be able to ask or tell Stinky Dude about his offensive odor. Although a call to HR would be on my To-Do List!
Yes I'd want someone to tell me, but jeez, with some of these people how could they possibly not know?
rosemarie - S.D doesn't work directly for my company and he doesn't work with me directly either, but he has to interface with members of my group. i just hope he doesn't have to come to my area again any time soon
mr. slish - so happy you stopped by. lmao @ your comment.
subservient - thank you for your visit and i hope you'll come back again. and you're right, how can people NOT know they smell?
This is a shameless truth moment tempered with some human kindness.
We once had a lady who smelled bad in a place I worked. We got together and gave her a bath & body gift basket complete with candles and such (to temper the blow to her ego) but there was also deoderant and soap and some feminine hygiene stuff. Needless to say she got the message.
My suggestion is when no one is looking place a bag chock full of hygiene products with a little note saying "we didn't want to hurt your feelings but we thought you could use this".
Same concept as when your breath is tart and someone offers you gum.
PS type the letter...leave no trace of who gave the love gift. He may take offense...but I guarantee he will take a bath.
"As you would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31
Hmmmmmmmmmm, you bought up a very interesting question. Yesterday, I was on the train and this guy just lifted his arm up to hold on to the rail and I saw stars, that's how strong his underarm odor was. For a moment I held on to my breath then I couldn't do it, I had to breathe.
It's hard...I don't think I would have the balls to tell the person unless it was family or close friends and even with them you must be tactful in how you say it.
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